Today, I felt like parent of the year! My son and I spent our morning serving together at Minnie’s Food Pantry, a local non-profit that serves up a box of food with a bushel of love. It was such a joyous celebration of Christmas to give of ourselves to those who need us most.
As parents, we’re constantly checking to see if we’re teaching our children everything they need to know to survive and thrive on their own. From the moment of their birth, our minds are consumed with ensuring they have the very best of everything – best education, right neighborhood, good friends, quality medical care, and of course to the best of our abilities, a safe environment. But today, as I watched my son ask an older woman if he could help carry out her box I just felt so proud. Inside I was doing the happy dance! All I could think was “Thank you God. I did something right.”
I know many of you can relate. For years you fuss, cajole, nag, scream, lecture, and love your kids with the hopes that they will grow up to decent human beings. Sometimes despite doing the best we know how to do, it doesn’t feel like we’re making a difference at all in their self-centered little beings. But then there is that moment when you see a glimmer of the person you prayed for them to be – a respectful, kind and loving person who cares about other people – and you just know they’ll be alright. Truthfully, they’ll be better than all right. They’ll be magnificent! Because when we learn to give, to love, to respect and to serve the world unfolds to offer infinite opportunities for happiness and success! How could it be any other way when we are doing God’s work?
This picture is of me, my son, Cheryl Jackson (founder of Minnie’s Food Pantry), and her son Robert. When our boys were little, Cheryl and I served together doing community outreach. How fortunate for us that we have now lived long enough to watch our sons serve together as men!
The greatest commandment God gives us is to love one another. I can think of no better way to show our love than to serve and give together. I challenge you to find something you can do with your kids to serve. It doesn’t have to be during the holidays. Need has no specific day on the calendar. Just do what moves you when it works for you to do it. Any time is a great time to do good!
When we got in the car to leave my son looked at me with a big smile and said, “This felt so good”! Yes, it did. It was an mmm…mmm good day! I pray we all have many more.
Wishing you all the love, joy, peace, and happiness your heart can hold this holiday season!
Loving on Me as we together Love Others!
PS – Brandon and I have set up a Feed Just One fundraiser for Minnie’s Food Pantry. Just $25 can feed a family of four for five days. Please help us make a difference for those who need us most!
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